Xenophobia: is it enough? Far right populist parties in Australia and Europe

Xenophobia: is it enough? Far right populist parties in Australia and Europe

Author

Curran, Giorel; van Acker, Elizabeth Hubertina; Hollander, Robyn

Publication Title

Australasian Political Studies Association (APSA) 2002

Editor

APSA

Year Published

2002

Place of publication

ANU, Canberra

Publisher

APSA

Abstract

The rise and fall of Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party remains a fascinating
episode in recent Australian political history. Australia's flirtation with this example of far
right populism lasted less than a decade. Elsewhere far right populist political parties
have proved to be far more successful and enduring. This paper is interested in why
Australia's One Nation Party withered while European far right counterparts thrive. The
paper thus focuses on recent developments in France, the Netherlands and Austria in
looking for clues to explain the Australian experience. While the far right populist
experience in these European countries and in Australia has much in common including a
strong anti-immigrant stance, there are also elements that are significantly different. This
comparative research focuses on three key areas. First, it investigates the degree to which
a particular country's electoral method contributes to both the emergence and endurance
of their populist parties. Second, clues to explain endurance are sought in comparisons of
party dynamics. Finally, the contribution that the incorporation of populist policies into
the platforms of mainstream parties is also explored. Overall, what this research shows is
that there are no simple explanations for the rise of these parties and we need to avoid
crude generalisations.

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